Decaf coffee demystified — answers to the hottest questions

How much caffeine is in coffee?

Firstly, coffee contains caffeine: a mild stimulant found in over 60 plants. The physical effects of caffeine mean it can perk you up for a few hours, but on the other hand, can be harmful if consumed in excess. So how much is too much? Well, there’s about 100mg of caffeine in a cup, which you can put in perspective when you know that the FDA recommends that we stick within 400mg per day. That means that 4 cups a day max is a good rule of thumb. 

Why do people drink decaf coffee?

Decaf drinkers limit their caffeine intake for various health reasons. They may have heart problems, or perhaps diabetes or epilepsy. Anxiety can also be aggravated by having a lot of caffeine, as can headaches and insomnia. Decaf can start to look like a good option. It’s certainly stood the test of time, as a drink that’s been available since the early 1900s.

Is there any caffeine in decaf coffee?

Yes, there’s always a trace. It’s not naturally caffeine-free like Rooibos tea that comes from a plant without caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee has had its caffeine removed and cannot claim to be entirely caffeine-free. In the EU, a product can only be labelled as decaffeinated if it contains less than 0.3% caffeine by weight. Most decaf coffee brands claim to be over 99% caffeine-free.

How is decaf coffee made?  

The way that caffeine is removed from coffee beans has changed a lot! The story goes that it was discovered by chance when coffee beans were accidentally left submerged in seawater. In early production, benzene was used in caffeine removal…. until that was found to be carcinogenic and replaced with low quantities of dichloromethane or ethyl acetate (EA) — a natural compound from sugarcane. There’s also the Swiss Water Method which involves no chemicals at all, and the modern Supercritical CO2 method. All involve various ways of saturating, soaking, flushing out the caffeine until you’re left with the beans and much of the intrinsic flavour that many of us have grown to love.

Does decaf taste as good?

Decaf coffee won’t look, smell or taste exactly the same as it would have done without decaffeination. Every process will alter the compounds and change its original flavour profile. However, this doesn’t mean it can’t be delicious if it’s roasted skillfully. You’ll find varieties that enthusiastic reviewers say is rich and flavourful, smooth or well balanced…. chocolatey, not harsh. Of course, it’s entirely a matter of personal taste! Why not taste test some different varieties of decaf to make up your own mind 😉

What are the cons of decaf?

Decaffeinating coffee beans alters their chemistry. It does affect the taste and also makes them more porous and less dense. This makes it harder to roast correctly to bring out the best flavour. It’s also a bit more difficult to brew, getting precisely the right grind for optimum extraction. More porous coffee needs a coarser grind so that it’s not over-extracted and astringent on the tongue. Decaf also loses its freshness more quickly due to its porous nature. Counteract that by buying it in small quantities.

Is decaf bad for you?

If you have a quick Google, you’ll find people asking whether decaf is bad for you. They may have concerns about the chemicals used in some decaffeination processes. However, both regular and decaffeinated coffee is considered to be safe to consume by health regulators. It may even provide health benefits like enhanced gut health, and antioxidants, which have a protective effect on the body.

Can you buy decaf beans?

Yes! Buy whole bean or preground from your local roasters or online. Some roasters are passionate advocates of the advantages of decaf coffee. As with any coffee, beans are best. They hold their precious flavours and aromas well, starting to oxidise and go stale once they’ve been ground up. 

Can you make decaf espresso?

Yes! You can explore a world of coffee beans with a KitchenAid espresso machine. Whether you go for a Fully automatic espresso machine or the Semi automatic machine with burr grinder, you can pour the beans (or pre-ground) directly into the bean hopper. Just keep in mind that decaf is a little harder to brew, so you may need some more tinkering to get the optimum grind size for a fantastic flavour.

Pull a rich espresso shot, and create other favourites like Cappucino, Americano or Flat White, knowing that you’re extracting fresh, beautiful flavours from the beans — whether decaf or regular. Check out the Espresso collection at KitchenAid to find the one that matches your home and your life.